UCC began a hectic seven days for them in upbeat fashion with a 1413 home win over Old Belvedere on Saturday. The students now start the defence of their European Universities crown in a match against Exeter at the Mardyke tonight.

The students took some time to get into stride on Saturday and had fallen six points behind their Dublin opponents after Donal Martin had landed two penalties. But midway through the first half centre Paul Barry made an initial break for David Lane to bring on and it was finally scrum-half Harry Casey who scored UCC's opening try, Brian O'Mahony converting. Seven minutes later it was Daragh Holt who touched down for the students, O'Mahony again converting.

Old Belvedere then hit back with a try by Johnny Logan which was converted by Martin, leaving just a point between the teams. But a resolute finish saw the students hold on.

City of Derry continued their fine run at the top of the table with a win, while chasing Old Crescent also kept up the pressure with an eight-point victory over Greystones. Derry's 20-15 victory over Dolphin did not, however, come without some difficulty.

Leading by five points at the break after tries from Ian McGreggor and Neil Beddow, Derry scored their third just after play resumed. Moving the ball wide following a break by Ashley Bond, Stephen Smyth found the space to cut through the Dolphin cover and touch down under the posts.

Tries by Dolphin's John Forde and scrum-half Pat McCarthy along with two kicks from John O'Mahony took them to within five points but Derry held on despite hard physical offensive by the home side.

Dr Hickey Park was the venue for Greystones's third defeat in succession, Old Crescent substitutes Stephen Tuohy and Diarmuid O'Malley scoring tries in the second half in their 21-29 win.

Greystones, with two tries from out-half Daniel Whiston, had taken an early 15-0 lead before two penalties from his opposite number Billy Treacy kept Crescent in touch. Treacy's final total was two penalties, a drop goal and a conversion.

At the other end of the table, Wanderers gained a valuable win at the expense of Portadown and also collected a welcome bonus point in a five-try spree. Rod Nowlan, brother of former Irish full back Kevin, ran in a hat-trick with Russell Southam and Bevan Cantrell adding one each. David Nowlan was also on form with the boot adding two penalties and a conversion.

Portadown's only reply came from the boot of Ben Matthew, who kicked four penalties.